1.5 million Sudanese children with disabilities injured in war, official says

January 29, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – More than 1.5 million children with disabilities in Sudan have been injured by artillery fire, drone strikes and disease since the war began 33 months ago, a government official said on Thursday.

Abdel Qadir Abu, secretary-general of the National Council for Child Welfare (NCCW), told Sudan Tribune that the injuries were a direct result of shelling and drone attacks, as well as endemic diseases caused by the collapse of basic services and the spread of insects in conflict zones.

Since the conflict erupted on April 15, 2023, thousands of children have been subjected to grave violations, including killing, sexual violence, abduction and displacement, in addition to losing limbs and being deprived of education and healthcare.

Abu noted that more than 12,000 children are currently homeless or displaced within areas controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and in states affected by ongoing urban combat. The official estimated that more than 24 million children have been affected by the conflict’s direct and indirect consequences.

The NCCW, in collaboration with international partners, plans to conduct a nationwide health survey through schools and implement new strategies this year to enhance child protection services, Abu said.

Women and children remain the most vulnerable groups in the Sudanese conflict. Reports from the ground have consistently highlighted widespread sexual violence against women and the forced recruitment of children by various armed groups throughout the country.